Victoria Market Watch

? ? ? Vermiculite ? ? ?

Questions, as the title suggests, surround vermiculite.

Is the sale dead if you discover vermiculite in the attic? When inspecting the attics of older homes, we often come across vermiculite insulation buried under more recently installed fibreglass or cellulose insulation. Some of this granular type of product was mined from a company in the U.S. and contained asbestos. This doesn’t have to be a deal killer as long as all parties are aware of the implications.

Not all vermiculite contains asbestos!   Not all vermiculite contains asbestos and Health Canada states that vermiculite need not be a concern provided it remains undisturbed in the attic and ceilings are properly sealed from attic dust. The labs say that the older large granular vermiculite doesn’t typically contain asbestos. Vermiculite is a mica-like mineral mined around the world and used in a variety of commercial and consumer products because it is fire-resistant and has good insulation qualities. Of concern is vermiculite ore produced by the Libby Mine in Montana from the 1920's to 1990. It was sold as Zonolite® Attic Insulation and possibly other brands in Canada during that time. Vermiculite from the Libby Mine may contain amphibole asbestos. The Libby Mine supplied the majority of the world market in vermiculite-based insulation.   Be aware that vermiculite is expensive to remove if that is your decision ($13-$15 sq. ft. and up) and all other insulation must be removed and replaced as well.  The home owner or contractor is usually responsible to obtain a sample from the attic, although for a price the lab may also do this.  Many lab “tests” seem to produce the same result of 1% asbestos.  Although the overall percentages of amphibole asbestos in bulk vermiculite are very low, the airborne percentages can increase if the material is disturbed. Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are present in the air that people breathe. If asbestos fibres are enclosed or tightly bound in a product, for example in asbestos siding or asbestos floor tiles, there are no significant health risks. How exposure to asbestos can affect you depends on:        the concentration of asbestos fibres in the air;        how long the exposure lasted;        how often you were exposed;        the size of the asbestos fibres inhaled; and        the amount of time since the initial exposure. When inhaled in significant quantities, asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis (a scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult), mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity) and lung cancer. The link between exposure to asbestos and other types of cancers is less clear.  --Thanks to Fleetwood Building Inspection (FBI)

 

 

Tankless Hot Water ? ? ?

Why Consider a Tankless Hot Water System?

 Water heating accounts for 20-25% of an average household's annual energy expenditures. The yearly operating costs for conventional gas or electric storage tank water heaters average $200 to $800, respectively.  Most tankless models have a life expectancy as long as 15 to 20 years. In contrast, storage tank water heaters last 5 to 15 years. Most tankless models have easily replaceable parts that can extend their life by many years more.  These systems have been common in Japan and Europe for years, but are gaining attention now in North America.  Tankless systems are more expensive to install than traditional tank systems, but substantial B.C. and Federal grants are available and vary from year to year.

 About Tankless Water Heaters

The main advantage of these instantaneous water heaters vs. storage is tank-less design, continuous flow and endless supply, less energy consumption (up to 30-40% when comparing it to tank-type heaters), therefore more savings for you and no worry about running out of hot water during showers.

Comparing tankless water heaters with storage heaters that are heating water even when you are away or not using it, tankless hot water heaters work only when you open the hot tap.

On demand water heaters can use gas or electricity. The size of the instant water heaters you need depends on demand, how big your house is and the family size. Some manufacturers offer a multi-system set-up that can link many heaters into one system, to satisfy demand even for the largest houses.

Majority of these units are whole house tankless hot water heaters, as they have higher GPM flow rate capacity, so they handle demand for more than one application at a time.

How Tankless Water Heaters Work

There are some tankless heaters where heating element is controlled by the flow-sensing device that operates with a constant heat input and maximum flow rate. Flow rate depends on the pressure which can be adjusted on the knob.

If there is a request for maximum flow, the outgoing water toward the hot water tap is cooler since it spends less time passing through the heat exchanger.

Modern tankless models are using the latest technology where the output temperature, flow, safety and other parameters are controlled and regulated by the electronic circuit board.

 When you open the hot water tap a flow sensor in the tankless hot water heater sends the signal to the electronic module. From there signal goes to the gas valve to open the gas flow.

If all the requirements are met, natural gas or propane flows into the burner located inside the combustion chamber. The gas is ignited either by the pilot flame or spark from the electrode.

Burning gas heats the heat exchanger where incoming cold water is quickly heated to the pre set and desired temperature. The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the burner to the water heating instantaneously. A vent pipe vents products of combustion out using the direct vent or powered vent system.

Once the faucet is turned off, the flow stops and flame goes out. As it can be seen from the above explanation tankless water heaters heat the water on demand, while providing you with an endless supply of hot water. You can see them often installed on the wall.

Tankless Water Heaters Reviews by fuel source:

Electric tankless hot water heaters have a compact design, saving you lots of space. They have a long service life as they are less prone to hard water and sediments. You can choose point-of-use or whole-house water heaters. Electric tankless water heaters don't produce greenhouse gases. Top selling brands in North America are Bosch PowerStar, Titan, Stiebel and Eemax.

Gas tankless hot water heaters are environmental friendly appliances also. Many of them utilize advanced technology for energy efficiency, and meet strict emission standards. They can use natural gas or propane - LP. Gas tankless water heaters produce higher flow rates than electric ones.

Tankless hot water heaters can be further divided into two categories; one that can only work as on/off and the other with modulation.

Instantaneous water heaters with modulation, base the heat output on the flow. For example if the demand for hot water is higher, modulating gas valve provides more gas and the final result is more power. 

 

The following video (American—but very succinct) give a clear notion of how the system works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blMZAdjKD2M&feature=player_

Make Your Next House A Garbage House

Make Your Next House A Garbage House

The trash you throw away today may just turn into your future home, if the concept behind the Bitublock takes off. Designed by engineer John Forth, of the University of Leeds in England, the blocks are produced with a mixture of waste materials, including crushed glass, pulverized fuel ash, incinerated sewage, steel slag, and other waste products that would normally wind up in landfills or, worse, wherever they happen to be discarded. Further, less energy is required to make the Bitublocks than is needed for concrete. These products are bound together by bitumen, (a byproduct of crude oil distillation used widely in road construction), before compacting it in a mould to form a solid block. Next the block is heat-cured, which oxidizes the bitumen so it hardens like concrete. This makes it possible to use a higher proportion of waste in the Bitublock than by using a cement or clay binder.

In the UK alone, Bitublock could put to good use the yearly estimated 490,000 tons of crushed glass and 550,000 tons of incinerator ash. The aim is to completely replace concrete as a structural material, Dr Forth says. Plus the amount of energy required and new material needed to create it. Not only eco-friendly, according to the research he has conducted, (in conjunction with civil engineering colleague Dong Van Dao), the block is as much as six times stronger than concrete when hardened. “Bitublocks use up to 100% waste materials and avoids sending them to landfill, which is quite unheard of in the building industry,’’ Dr Forth says.

This innovative project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is being carried out in partnership with Dr Salah Zoorob from the University of Nottingham. Their work could be on the market within three to five years, and there is enormous commercial interest.

This invention would revolutionize the building industry, providing a sustainable, low-energy option for construction. “Bitublocks provide an ideal opportunity for the utilization of many waste materials,’’ Dr Forth says in his research. “The combination of different wastes has an effect on the overall performance and properties of the block. The different properties highlight the flexibility of the new unit to match different practical requirements.’’

They come out black as in the picture but can be painted any colour.  "Holy Crap" has a whole new meaning!